Here is my anolysis of the trailer, screen by screen, providing landmark comparisons and hypothetical anolysis of where the dragon battle occurs. Enjoy (if you make it through the whole thread)!!!

Note: This anolysis may provide a slight *spoiler* in terms of the ‘Wonder of Discovery’

When I first watched the trailer, I thought the dragon battle and dragon shout scenes were just awesome! But it’s been torture wishing I could just be a part of that environment, look around and explore the surroundings of that area.

So I’ve pieced together images and scenes to try and provide some context and perspective as to where that dragon battle actually takes place. Also, I’ve highlighted some notable landmarks in various scenes so we can maintain perspective and bearings.

Hopefully when you watch the trailer next, you’ll have a slightly enhanced understanding of the surroundings and landmarks.

To start, lets examine the trailer at time 00:23
http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A%3B%3A%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D346983433833%3Anu0mrj

As the dragon is flying in, take note of the following landmarks…
- lake with island off in the distance
- rock formation on the cliff (to the right)
- spinal mountain ruins, to the right, facing towards you slightly. [this one is key]
- Dragon Shout Cliff in the center

Next, lets get a close up of Dragonborn at time 00:38
http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A%3C5%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D346983433933%3Anu0mrj(http:

Note the following…
- Dragon Shout Cliff (confirmed with same outline as in previous pic)
- We then assume the lake is off in the distance
- We then assume the rock formation is to the right

Next, dragonborn and dragon meet at time 00:51
http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3B35%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D346983433%3A33%3Anu0mrj

- Lake shown off in the distance
- then assume spinal ruins to the top right
- then assume rock formation to the right

At time 1:09, the dragon shout occurs and we can see our first view of High Hrothgar
http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3B39%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D346983434333%3Anu0mrj

- At first this may seem like another random mountain, but in the anolysis to follow, we can draw a conclusion that this is most likely High Hrathgar. Please be patient...
- note the cool little bridge below (already pointed out in other threads)

At time 1:47, the dragon is about to receive the lethal blow from dragonborn
http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A%3A5%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D346983433%3B33%3Anu0mrj

- we see High Hrathgar off in the distance
- with the rock formation to left, I’m lead to believe the Spinal Ruins are behind the formation off in the distance, angling towards High Hrathgar.
- also, the lake and cliff would then be to the direct left, to Dragonborns back [src="http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A%3A3%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D346983984833%3Anu0mrj"]Link[/url
- so the forrest that dragonborn ran through in the beginning is to the right.

At time 1:51, the dragon crash lands.
(http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A%3B4%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D346983434233%3Anu0mrj)

- As pointed out in other threads, this does not appear to be the same location that we just saw with dragonborn.
- I’m lead to believe this is a generic cut scene used for the video and/or, they simply used another location for this death scene because it provides a better dramatic visual.
- My anolysis is that this death scene actually occurs across from Dragon Shout Cliff and to the right of the lake. (see my reasoning in the next few pics)

At time 2:04, High Hrathgar is now directly in front of us, as opposed to our right (as indicated earlier)
(http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A%3C8%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D346983434733%3Anu0mrj)

- Thus, Dragonborn absorbs the soul on the mountain ridge to the right of the lake, not on the Dragon Shout Cliff

Finally, at time 2:14, we scan over the ridge and come across a beautiful scene with a dragon flying off his pearch.
(http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A%3A6%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D346983434933%3Anu0mrj)

- You will notice High Hrathgar directly ahead
- You will also notice that the Spinal Ruins are now pointing AWAY from us, leading me to believe the Lake is to our backs and Dragon Shout Cliff is off to the right.

One of the original screen shot images gives another view of this.
(http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A%3A2%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D346983434533%3Anu0mrj)

Here is a comparison of the directions of the Spinal Ruins
(http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A%3B7%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D346983%3B83833%3Anu0mrj)

If my anolysis above is somewhat accurate, then it appears that the location of the awesome Dragon Shout occurs to the south of High Hrathgar, on a simple cliff. The actual dragon death occurs across the cliff closer to a Lake (or other body of water), probably due to the producers wanting a more dramatic ending cut scene. The Spinal Ruins are on the mountain ridge adjacent to and pointing towards High Hrathgar.

Here is the Skyrim map with my projected location of the epic Dragon Shout, Dragon Death, Spinal Ruins and High Hrothgar.
(http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A99%3Enu%3D3243%3E368%3E279%3EWSNRCG%3D346983434433%3Anu0mrj)


Disclaimer: Of course there are many mountains and there’s no way to know for sure if the large mountain we are seeing is truely High Hrathgar. Also, there may be more than one 'Spinal Ruins'. But my assumption is that the trailer producers want the ‘wow’ factor and the largest mountain in the trailer is likely High Hrathgar. Also, I assume that the Spinal Ruins is the only one. If not… then good god is the real High Hrothgar going to be huge!!

Note: can only include 5 links, so others must be done manually

That was... a great read. You deserve cake for your work!

Also, wouldn't it be insane if High Hrothgar (let's refer to it as HH from now on?) wasn't actually the mountain, and was in fact much larger?

Hmmm...seems right. Hurray for you being bored!

:cookie:

Looking at that map at the end, just made me think.. Crap this game is going to be huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge.lol

That cliff should now be officially call'd Dragon shout cliff.

Good anolysis. :thumbsup:

It can't be a generic cut scene because for the last time Pete Hines already confirmed that every single thing in that trailer apart from the wall was all gameplay.
EDIT: I agree with everything else you stated thought, great anolysis

For the most part you seem to have a well thought out idea! Good job!

Very nice read, good job pal :]

Although I believe your positioning is all wrong, great job anyway!

Outstanding work! I'm cautious about assuming that mountain is High Hrothgar, but it does stand out among the others.

This is a minor point, but if your hypothesis is correct, then the dragon approaches Dovahkiin from the East. It appears the dragon's shadow precedes him toward the west, by what must be quite a lot. Otherwise, the dragon would have landed on him. This minor details seems to support your theory. That is, an approach from any other direction, except due West of course, would have resulted in a less distant shadow.. and the dragon would have landed on Dovahkiin.

This anolysis is wonderful. One additional thing I noticed was at 0:21 in the trailer you can see a graphical 'error' in the loading of terrain or something:

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/4891/skyrim.png

by the gods your and observant one! :thumbsup: you should anolyse other screenshots im sure youl find many many things others have missed :goodjob:

one more piece of the puzzle

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=1588ql0&s=7

first i thought you where trolling then i seen that everything lines up .il be sure to watch the sky around there lest i lose my head to a swooping dragon

This... is... amazing.

in this perspective, the dragon should be high above, as you're looking down to the river valley

wow... you spent a lot of time on this! Very interesting!

wow, that made my day! Good find!

Or a farm but you are probably right.

Unfortunatly, The only thing this anolysis did was make me want to change the sword of the dragon fighter.

Why?

Edit: nevermind.

so anxious for some more gameplay footage

Interesting